What Does Maria Sharapova Have To Do To Beat Serena Williams At The US Open?

Lozo1016

Lozo1016

Hall of Fame
Maria Sharapova will play Serena Williams in the first round of the US Open. We know the history of this matchup. Serena has a 19-2 record against her and she's beaten Maria 18 times in a row. In fact, Williams has won 29 of the last 30 sets against Sharapova. Maria has struggled a bit in her comeback and this doesn't seem like a particularly great spot for her. Facing the greatest hardcourt player of all time who has dominated you for the last 15 years at her home slam is a tall task.

Sharapova has been criticized over the years for her lack of tactical adjustments against Serena. She's gonna stand where she wants to stand and hit how she wants to hit. Sharapova's gonna play her game. But if you were her coach, what would you tell her to do against Serena? How can Maria Sharapova beat Serena Williams next week?
 
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mbm0912

mbm0912

Hall of Fame
Bring a few Big Macs courtside to throw off Rena's concentration.

Honestly with Serena's present state, I say Sugarpova in 3...
 
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S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Get into Serena's head before the match by pretending to be humble saying that Serena is super-enthusiastic about winning her 24 Slam, and add that she hopes Serena might be too nervous about it given her recent performances in finals and will give her a few free points.

That will be amplified in the media and Serena will feel more pressure.
 
MichaelNadal

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Sharapova will actually be glad about this. She's losing to nobodies, might as well lose to Serena, but go out swinging for the fences..... you never know.
 
heftylefty

heftylefty

Hall of Fame
In order for Sharapova to beat Serena, she must do things she has demonstrated over her career she can't do. For example serve with variety and hit her spots consistently. Take advantage of short balls and finish at the net. Move well.

Maria is on the wrong side of 30 and she is playing an opponent who greatest enjoy in life is to humiliate her on the biggest stages. Her only shot is that they play on an outer court, with no media. The likelihood of her win increases to 10% chance.
 
S

StrongRule

Talk Tennis Guru
Lozo1016 said:
Maria Sharapova will play Serena Williams in the first round of the US Open. We know the history of this matchup. Serena has a 19-2 record against her and she's beaten Maria 18 times in a row. In fact, Williams has won 29 of the last 30 sets against Sharapova. Maria has struggled a bit in her comeback and this doesn't seem like a particularly great spot for her. Facing the greatest hardcourt player of all time who has dominated you for the last 15 years at her home slam is a tall task.

Sharapova has been criticized over the years for her lack of tactical adjustments against Serena. She's gonna stand where she wants to stand and hit how she wants to hit. Sharapova's gonna play her game. But if you were her coach, what would you tell her to do against Serena? How can Maria Sharapova beat Serena Williams next week?
Click to expand...
:eek: :eek::eek::eek:
 
Dansan

Dansan

Semi-Pro
She'd need an equal amount of androgynous hormones, testosterone/androstenedione as Serena. Sadly for Sharapova, she'd have to supplement for that ...we all know where supplements got her last time :unsure:
 
I

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
Lozo1016 said:
Maria Sharapova will play Serena Williams in the first round of the US Open. We know the history of this matchup. Serena has a 19-2 record against her and she's beaten Maria 18 times in a row. In fact, Williams has won 29 of the last 30 sets against Sharapova. Maria has struggled a bit in her comeback and this doesn't seem like a particularly great spot for her. Facing the greatest hardcourt player of all time who has dominated you for the last 15 years at her home slam is a tall task.

Sharapova has been criticized over the years for her lack of tactical adjustments against Serena. She's gonna stand where she wants to stand and hit how she wants to hit. Sharapova's gonna play her game. But if you were her coach, what would you tell her to do against Serena? How can Maria Sharapova beat Serena Williams next week?
Click to expand...
Sorry wrong reply. Struggled a bit? A bit? Have you watched any or her matches? She looks horrible.
 
TennisLBC

TennisLBC

Professional
Maria's only shot is Serena pulling out of the event. But walkovers don't count as wins.

Maria is younger and from what I read "Unstoppable", so there really is no excuse for her to lose to an aging player just south of 40.
 
helixx

helixx

Hall of Fame
TennisLBC said:
Maria's only shot is Serena pulling out of the event. But walkovers don't count as wins.

Maria is younger and from what I read "Unstoppable", so there really is no excuse for her to lose to an aging player just south of 40.
Click to expand...
I think that heavy weight champion will be too much for her as always
 
F

fed1

Professional
It's not going to be a Sharapova type player that beats Serena, it's going to be the consistent steady player that is going to be the downfall.
 
I Am Finnish

I Am Finnish

Bionic Poster
Lozo1016 said:
Maria Sharapova will play Serena Williams in the first round of the US Open. We know the history of this matchup. Serena has a 19-2 record against her and she's beaten Maria 18 times in a row. In fact, Williams has won 29 of the last 30 sets against Sharapova. Maria has struggled a bit in her comeback and this doesn't seem like a particularly great spot for her. Facing the greatest hardcourt player of all time who has dominated you for the last 15 years at her home slam is a tall task.

Sharapova has been criticized over the years for her lack of tactical adjustments against Serena. She's gonna stand where she wants to stand and hit how she wants to hit. Sharapova's gonna play her game. But if you were her coach, what would you tell her to do against Serena? How can Maria Sharapova beat Serena Williams next week?
Click to expand...
Jeez :oops:
 
I Am Finnish

I Am Finnish

Bionic Poster
TennisLBC said:
Maria's only shot is Serena pulling out of the event. But walkovers don't count as wins.

Maria is younger and from what I read "Unstoppable", so there really is no excuse for her to lose to an aging player just south of 40.
Click to expand...
Serena Retires the match:X3:
 
milk of amnesia

milk of amnesia

Legend
Bribe someone to ensure Carols Ramos officiates. ;)

Actually, I think this is Maria's best chance in years. Serena is a notoriously slow starter, she's not in great shape, and she's a total head case at the Open. If Sharapova can manage to keep the ball in the court and run Serena back and forth she could wear her out and win this match.
 
helixx

helixx

Hall of Fame
The last time Sharapova defeated Serena...
— Nadal had ZERO Grand Slam
— YouTube didn’t exist
— Pope John Paul II was alive
— Usher & Alicia Keys’ “My Boo” was the US No. 1 song
— Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were still a thing
 
Sudacafan

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
Well, the USTA rigged the draw to have a first round encounter between Serena and Sharapova. (Yes, first round because in their current state nobody can guarantee the both of them pass one slam round)
Now, they need to push it to have Carlos Ramos officiate the match.
They will sell this show for millions. Better than men's tournament.
I can't wait.
 
Mr.Lob

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Sharapova has a one match winning streak over Serena, who quit in their last match because she wasn't playing well and Sharapova was.

Sharapova doesn't need to do anything different in her 1st round match against Serena. What Sugarpova does best, blasting balls in the corners, is now a weakness for Serena. Serena's movement, flexibility, and speed has dropped a notch or two in the last couple of years....old age and giving birth...as well as too many HoHo's.
Serena is rumoured to have back problems. Sharapova will win this one with bakery products for Serena to feast on.
 
MichaelNadal

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
helixx said:
The last time Sharapova defeated Serena...
— Nadal had ZERO Grand Slam
— YouTube didn’t exist
— Pope John Paul II was alive
— Usher & Alicia Keys’ “My Boo” was the US No. 1 song
— Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were still a thing
Click to expand...

OffensiveElatedBillygoat-size_restricted.gif
 
Mr.Lob

Mr.Lob

G.O.A.T.
Sudacafan said:
Well, the USTA rigged the draw to have a first round encounter between Serena and Sharapova. (Yes, first round because in their current state nobody can guarantee the both of them pass one slam round)
Now, they need to push it to have Carlos Ramos officiate the match.
They will sell this show for millions. Better than men's tournament.
I can't wait.
Click to expand...

I never believed the rigged draws conspiracy theories....until now. As Nadal would say, "Unbeeleebaball". Put Carlos in the chair, and little Shino calling the baseline for foot faults. A match made for t.v.
 
UnderratedSlam

UnderratedSlam

G.O.A.T.
She has to literally beat her, like grab a baseball bat. Only that way can a very weak Sharapova beat a solid Serena.

Maria has been her pigeon for 15 years now. That's like the length of an entire career.
 
UnderratedSlam

UnderratedSlam

G.O.A.T.
weakera said:
Truly a matchup of David v Goliath, I would be very happy if Serena lost.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Chasing records despite her huge slam tally and millions in the bank, while having a baby, time for her to step off. Besides, the most obnoxious female champ in recent decades. She has only the biased media to thank for not losing sponsorships, what with her behaviour, because whatever awful thing she does always gets explained away by "experts" in the media. She can do no wrong despite doing wrong on a regular basis.
 
ollinger

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
Two pretty inconsistent players these days, but Sharapova looks more inconsistent to me and her movement is cumbersome. Even her serve is very erratic lately. If Serena is in at least decent shape, she demolishes Maria.
 
tennis_pro

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
At this point? Play well. Serena sucks now. I'd take prime Sharapova over today's Serena easily.
 
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Sudacafan

Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
upchuck said:
You haven't been following women's tennis recently have you?
Click to expand...
I have, and I mean BOTH of them passing R1, not only Serena, who may go easily only until R3 or R4.
They can’t risk having one of them out, so the matchup won’t take place.
 
I

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
ollinger said:
Two pretty inconsistent players these days, but Sharapova looks more inconsistent to me and her movement is cumbersome. Even her serve is very erratic lately. If Serena is in at least decent shape, she demolishes Maria.
Click to expand...
How in the freak has Serena been inconsistent? She has made 3 of last 5 slam finals and just was in the finals of Canada? What in the flying crap. And Sharapova hasn't been inconsistent she has been horrible.
 
Mainad

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Basically she needs to win at least 2 sets (unless Serena makes it easier for her by retiring).
 
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F

fed1

Professional
insideguy said:
How in the freak has Serena been inconsistent? She has made 3 of last 5 slam finals and just was in the finals of Canada? What in the flying crap. And Sharapova hasn't been inconsistent she has been horrible.
Click to expand...

Sheesh, do the Serena fans pounce when you say something semi negative about her.
The original poster said she was inconsistent not terrible!
Try to take an objective look at what her tourney results look like lately, Wimbledon a couple great rounds, a couple of interesting 3 setters, a beat down by Simona. Canada, great against Osaka, then a nearly 3 hour match against a Czech qualifier. Sorry, those results are what they are, inconsistent. Do you think she’s been physically consistent all year?
 
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TennisLBC

TennisLBC

Professional
Mr.Lob said:
Sharapova has a one match winning streak over Serena, who quit in their last match because she wasn't playing well and Sharapova was.

Sharapova doesn't need to do anything different in her 1st round match against Serena. What Sugarpova does best, blasting balls in the corners, is now a weakness for Serena. Serena's movement, flexibility, and speed has dropped a notch or two in the last couple of years....old age and giving birth...as well as too many HoHo's.
Serena is rumoured to have back problems. Sharapova will win this one with bakery products for Serena to feast on.
Click to expand...
In order "blast the balls in the corners" you first must move to the ball. If Suga could not do that in her 20s, what make you think she can in her 30s.
While Serena's movement, flexibility, and speed has drop off; where did Maria ever have those attributes?

But you may be on to something. Now that Serena has surpassed Maria in off-court endorsements, Sharapova could have something to prove...wait, my bad; Maria first must be ranked higher than Serena.
 
THUNDERVOLLEY

THUNDERVOLLEY

G.O.A.T.
heftylefty said:
In order for Sharapova to beat Serena, she must do things she has demonstrated over her career she can't do. For example serve with variety and hit her spots consistently. Take advantage of short balls and finish at the net. Move well.
Click to expand...

As I said in the USO/WTA thread, when Sharapova walks out on a court with Serena, she genuinely believes she can win. She really believes that. She's not going out there looking to lose. Time after time--like a rehearsed stage play, Sharapova's game, behavior and posturing all scream that. Belief alone is not enough to win, but she is experienced enough (and knows Serena's game) to win if she forgets the media noise about her relationship with Serena.

As I predicted in the other thread, I will say Sharapova in three, but she will not make it to week two.
 
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